FSSAI Approves New Nutritional Labelling Guidelines to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases.
New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at promoting public health and empowering consumers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a proposal to enhance the visibility of nutritional information on packaged food labels. The decision, taken during the 44th meeting of the Food Authority chaired by Apurva Chandra, mandates the display of total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in bold letters and a larger font size.
The amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, is designed to help consumers better understand the nutritional value of the products they consume, facilitating healthier dietary choices. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which are major public health concerns in India.
The draft notification for the proposed amendment will be made available to the public for suggestions and objections, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to policy formulation. The new labelling requirements will also include information about the per serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, total saturated fat, and sodium content, further aiding consumers in making informed choices.
According to Regulation 2 (v) and 5(3) of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulation, 2020, food product labels must specify serving size and nutritional information. The revised guidelines will make these details more prominent and accessible.
Beyond enhancing consumer awareness, the FSSAI's initiative is expected to play a crucial role in the global fight against NCDs. Clear and distinguishable labelling is recognized as a key strategy in promoting healthier eating habits and improving public health outcomes.
FSSAI has been proactive in preventing false and misleading claims by Food Business Operators (FBOs). Recent advisories include directives to e-commerce websites to remove undefined terms such as ‘Health Drink’ and mandating the removal of claims like ‘100% fruit juices’ from reconstituted fruit juice labels. Other measures include regulating the use of terms like wheat flour/refined wheat flour and overseeing the advertisement and marketing of ORS.
The meeting saw participation from senior officials across various ministries, including Health and Family Welfare, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Law and Justice, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Representatives from industry associations, consumer organizations, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations also attended, reflecting the collaborative approach needed to tackle these pressing health issues.
The FSSAI's new labelling guidelines mark a significant step towards ensuring that consumers are better informed about the nutritional content of the food they purchase, ultimately contributing to a healthier nation.
New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at promoting public health and empowering consumers, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has approved a proposal to enhance the visibility of nutritional information on packaged food labels. The decision, taken during the 44th meeting of the Food Authority chaired by Apurva Chandra, mandates the display of total sugar, salt, and saturated fat content in bold letters and a larger font size.
The amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, is designed to help consumers better understand the nutritional value of the products they consume, facilitating healthier dietary choices. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to combat the rise of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which are major public health concerns in India.
The draft notification for the proposed amendment will be made available to the public for suggestions and objections, ensuring a comprehensive and inclusive approach to policy formulation. The new labelling requirements will also include information about the per serve percentage contribution to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) for total sugar, total saturated fat, and sodium content, further aiding consumers in making informed choices.
According to Regulation 2 (v) and 5(3) of the FSS (Labelling and Display) Regulation, 2020, food product labels must specify serving size and nutritional information. The revised guidelines will make these details more prominent and accessible.
Beyond enhancing consumer awareness, the FSSAI's initiative is expected to play a crucial role in the global fight against NCDs. Clear and distinguishable labelling is recognized as a key strategy in promoting healthier eating habits and improving public health outcomes.
FSSAI has been proactive in preventing false and misleading claims by Food Business Operators (FBOs). Recent advisories include directives to e-commerce websites to remove undefined terms such as ‘Health Drink’ and mandating the removal of claims like ‘100% fruit juices’ from reconstituted fruit juice labels. Other measures include regulating the use of terms like wheat flour/refined wheat flour and overseeing the advertisement and marketing of ORS.
The meeting saw participation from senior officials across various ministries, including Health and Family Welfare, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Law and Justice, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Representatives from industry associations, consumer organizations, research institutes, and farmers’ organizations also attended, reflecting the collaborative approach needed to tackle these pressing health issues.
The FSSAI's new labelling guidelines mark a significant step towards ensuring that consumers are better informed about the nutritional content of the food they purchase, ultimately contributing to a healthier nation.
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